Johnny Guitar is a 2004 stage musical with music by Martin Silvestri, lyrics by Joel Higgins, and a book by Nicholas van Hoogstraten.Playbill.Com Johnny Guitar Opens accessed 7-30-23 The musical is based on the 1953 novel by Roy Chanslor, that also inspired the 1954 film of the same name which starred Joan Crawford in the lead role.Utah Shakes About the Playwrights accessed 07-30-23
Synopsis The musical is set in a small town in the New Mexico mountains circa 1885. The story centers on Vienna, a sultry saloonkeeper who built a booming business on her back. Though Vienna is the ultimate ‘bad girl gone good,’ her nemesis, the pent-up Emma, sees things differently. A domineering cattle baroness, Emma controls the town with an iron fist but loses her grip when she falls for the dangerously hot-headed Dancin’ Kid. By the time Johnny Guitar, a tall manly stranger with a secret past rides into town, the stage is set for an epic showdown, unlike anything the Old West or Off-Broadway has ever seen.Concord Theatricals Johnny Guitar accessed 07-30-23
Original cast and characters Character Off-Broadway 2004 Off Broadway Listing accessed 07-30-23 Vienna Judy McLane Emma SmallAnn Crumb Johnny GuitarSteve Blanchard The Dancin' Kid Robert Evan John McIvers Ed Sala Turkey Ralston Robb Sapp Bart Lonergan / Old Tom David Sinkus Eddie Jason Edwards
Musical numbers "Johnny Guitar" – "Let It Spin" – "Branded a Tramp" – "Old Santa Fe" - "What's In It For Me?" – "Who Do They Think They Are?" – "Welcome Home" – "Tell Me a Lie" – "The Gunfighter" – "We've Had Our Moments" – "Bad Blood" –
An original cast album was released in 2004.Amazon Cast Album Listing accessed 7-30-23
Productions The original production started previews on March 9, 2004, at the Century City Center for the Performing Arts. A previous workshop was done in 2002 with Michele Pawk and Joanna Glushak.Playbill Johnny Guitar Reading accessed 07-30-23
The original production was well received by critics, and nominated for several awards including the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical, and The Drama League Award for Best Musical. McClane was also nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. The show won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway MusicalPlaybill.Com Johnny Guitar Will Pack Up accessed 07-30-23CurtainUp Review Johnny Guitar accessed 07-3023
The musical has been staged around the world by regional theatres and schools. It was produced by Boston Center for the Arts in Boston in 2004.Johnny Guitar Boston Review accessed 07-30-23 In 2006, a production premiered in Southern California at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.OC Register Johnny Guitar accessed 07-30-23
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